When you’re a runner, inspiring mantras are just one of the things that help keep you going in the tough times. The right words can boost your spirits, carry you over the obstacle, and push you to the finish line in ways that training sometimes can’t.
“I learned a long time ago that a person can stand just about anything for 10 seconds, then you just start on a new 10 seconds. All you’ve got to do is take it 10 seconds at a time.” – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Facts are facts. When you break things up into smaller increments, they just seem less daunting. I can’t sprint for miles on end, but I can kick it to the finishing line of a race. I can make it to the next light post. I can do so many things, even if I do it ten seconds at a time.
“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up.”— Dean Karnazes
I think we all know this one. And the truth is, we just have to keep going. The failure isn’t in going slowly or being tired. The failure is giving up. I’m not always the fastest or most efficient, or even the most fun to watch, but I’m also not about quitting.
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” – Christopher McDougall
Who doesn’t love a good “circle of life” analogy? We are all running for our own reasons. There is no sense of right or wrong, and there should be no judgment. Runners run: we get up, we lace up, and we hit that road or trail, for the sole purpose of getting it done. Some days you’re the lion; some days you’re the gazelle; and some days, you’re that little warthog that trundles along. No matter what, we’re all running.
“When it’s pouring rain and you’re bowling along through the wet, there’s satisfaction in knowing you’re out there and the others aren’t.” – Peter Snell
We can all agree that running in tough elements makes you a bada$$. And even though I hate being soaking wet and miserable, there is a certain satisfaction that comes with knowing I am out and doing the running work when most people wouldn’t brave the elements. Sure, it’s awful, but it makes me feel tough and strong, and that’s worth the misery.
“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.” – John Bingham
No doubt, this is my favorite. For the longest time, I didn’t believe I was a “real” runner. I didn’t think I had a seat at the running table. Even now, working through the long term effects of my injury and surgery, I struggle with imposter syndrome. But this mantra springs to mind, and I remember that as long as I just run, I belong. And that gets me through the miles, one day after another.
What mantras inspire you?
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These are all great. I think you picked the best ones!!
Here are few more that I adhere to:
“In running, it doesn’t matter if you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.” ~ Fred LeBow
“There is no better feeling in the world than to take your mind and body to a place you thought it couldn’t go; a place you thought it didn’t belong. You should all try it sometime.” ~ Shauna Reid
“I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.” ~ Steve Prefontaine
Awesome! There are so many good ones!
Your favorite is my favorite! I tell people this all the time, especially the ones who doubt that they are “good enough” to be called a runner.
It’s so good to read different mantras as I think they can all hit differently at different times of our journey.
Absolutely! I love having so many inspiring people who have had incredible ideas before me!
Oh you picked some good ones! I have to say that your favorite is probably my favorite as well. I think so many runners, myself included, have struggled with thoughts of whether we’re strong enough, fast enough, etc.
That’s the hardest for me: believing I have a seat at the running table.
These are great ! The rain one resonated with me this week. You gotta push through and celebrate your wins, no natter how small!
Yes! I am all about celebrating the wins!
If I’m running in miserable conditions, or feeling miserable on my own, I remind myself that “I chose to do this” and “I get to do this” and hang on to gratitude instead of griping.
This is the truth, for sure!
You are so right!
Funny that we picked similar subjects today!
I use the Bingham quote on my blog banner. Nuff said.
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